BPC-157: Research Overview and Mechanisms of Action
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a partial sequence of a protective protein identified in human gastric juice. Since its characterization, it has become one of the most extensively referenced compounds in tissue-repair peptide research, with published work spanning gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and vascular models.
Studied Mechanisms
Preclinical research has examined several overlapping pathways through which BPC-157 may influence tissue repair:
- Angiogenesis signalling — studies have looked at BPC-157's interaction with the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) pathway, relevant to new blood vessel formation during healing.
- Growth factor modulation — research has explored effects on growth-hormone receptor expression and downstream signalling in tendon and ligament fibroblast models.
- Nitric oxide system interaction — several studies propose an interaction with the NO system, which is implicated in vascular tone and tissue-repair signalling.
Research Models
Much of the published literature on BPC-157 uses in-vitro fibroblast and endothelial cell models, along with rodent models of tendon, ligament, and gastrointestinal injury, to study healing-rate and tissue-integrity endpoints.
Handling in the Lab
BPC-157 is supplied as a lyophilized powder and should be stored at -20°C, protected from light, prior to reconstitution. See our Reconstitution Calculator for solution-concentration math, and our BPC-157 product page for current batch specifications.